When must a recreational pilot have a pilot in command flight check?

A recreational pilot is required to have a pilot in command flight check under specific conditions to ensure safety and proficiency. The correct answer indicates that this flight check is necessary when the pilot has fewer than 400 total flight hours and has not acted as pilot in command in an aircraft in the preceding 180 days.

This regulation emphasizes the importance of recent flying experience and the accumulation of flight hours for safety purposes. It acknowledges that a lack of recent experience may significantly impact a pilot's skills and confidence in handling an aircraft. By mandating a flight check under these circumstances, authorities aim to reinforce proficiency and ensure that the pilot is adequately prepared to operate the aircraft safely, taking into account their total experience level.

The other options do not align with regulatory requirements. Regular time intervals, like every 400 hours or 180 days, do not specifically account for a pilot’s individual experience or recent activity, which can vary greatly. Similarly, the requirement for checks after each solo flight could be impractical and doesn't reflect the need for assessment based on elapsed time since the last PIC role, making the criteria in the correct answer particularly relevant for maintaining flight safety standards.